We’re delighted to share that alumna Madison Nonoa has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dame Heather Begg Memorial Award, receiving $25,000 in support at a pivotal moment in her career. Already making her mark internationally, Madison has appeared at leading European festivals including Salzburg, Whitsun, Pulsations Bordeaux, and most recently at the Aix-en-Provence Festival in Don Giovanni. In 2026, she returns to Australia to make her Pinchgut Opera debut as Abel in The First Murder. Warm congratulations, Madison — we’re so pleased to be following your journey! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Alumni #OperaTraining #MadisonNonoa

✨ Class of 2026 | Debut Student ✨🎶 Erin Connelly-Whyte — Soprano Erin joins NZOS 2026 focused on strengthening her vocal technique, stage presence, and artistry as an emerging opera singer. She’s particularly keen to refine her approach to recitative and aria interpre#aotearoa Often described as having a bigger, more colourful soprano voice, Erin is passionate about developing her instrument thoughtfully and sustainably. She’s excited to work with Nikki Li Hartliep and Mary Plazas, drawing on their experience in larger repertoire to better understand how a young voice can grow safely, when to wait, and how to prepare for more demanding roles over time. Welcome to NZOS, Erin — we’re delighted to have you with us! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Whanganui #Aotearoa

January is just around the corner, and we’re delighted to welcome Soprano Emma Jones back to Whanganui for NZOS 2026. This year at Opera School, Emma is focusing on: • deepening her vocal technique with multiple coaches • developing more authentic stagecraft and characterisation • exploring new repertoire and role ideas with our tutors • growing through ensemble work and performance opportunities Emma wants her acting to feel more honest and relatable — and Opera School will surely give her the space to really work on that. ✨ Catch Emma in action with the Class of 2026 during Whanganui Opera Week this January — live, up close, and in full voice. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #OperaTraining #PPera

At the end of November, Filipe Manu made a surprise opening-night debut at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona — stepping into Nemorino with only hours’ notice. It was a full-circle moment. Years ago, this very role had stopped him mid-performance due to illness. This time, he trusted the work, met the fear head-on, and took the stage — becoming the first Tongan artist to perform at the Liceu. Opera careers are built on resilience as much as success, and this was one of those defining moments. It also comes amid a remarkable 2025–26 season for Filipe: six companies, six countries, two hemispheres — with appearances at 🇬🇧 English National Opera 🇳🇿 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 🇪🇸 Gran Teatre del Liceu 🇲🇨 Opéra de Monte-Carlo 🇦🇺 Opera Australia 🇦🇹 Wiener Staatsoper We’ll be following every step. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Opera #FilipeManu

Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono may be all about humour, but never be fooled, he is a top talent, a hard worker and his debut at the @royalballetandopera speaks for itself! Beaming with pride for our alumnus! We’ve been literally stalking all socials of our alumni who got the chance to see him live in Covent Garden, so thank you for all the glimpses! 📸: @katherine_winitana thank you for the stories! Bravo @effuimaono.tenor @emanff_18 from all of us at NZOS! #nzos #nzoperaschool #emmanuelfonotifuimaono #royalballetandopera #coventgarden #turandot #pang

🌟 Meet the NZOS Class of 2026 🌟 Introducing: Grace Burt — Mezzo-Soprano We’re delighted to welcome back mezzo Grace Burt, whose journey over the past year has been one of patience, discipline, and remarkable technical growth. Grace’s main focus for 2026 is refining her tone — shaping and colouring her sound with intention, confidence, and consistency. After years of struggle with resonance, she spent last year rebuilding her technique step by step, and she now arrives with a clearer sense of her voice and how to sculpt it. Grace is also deeply committed to strengthening her dramatic and emotional presence onstage. She hopes to open up more as a performer, express vulnerability without tension, and grow her confidence both as a soloist and in ensemble storytelling. 🎶 Want to see Grace in action? Catch her in one of the most illuminating events of Opera Week — the Public Masterclass with Mary Plazas. 📅 Monday 12 January, 7:30pm 📍 Prince Edward Auditorium, Whanganui Collegiate School 🎟️ Tickets: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/154166 #NZOperaSchool #ClassOf2026 #OperaTraining #Mezzo #NZOS #Aotearoa

We were delighted to hear from mezzo soprano Bianca Andrew this week as she sent through photos of her latest debut at Oper Frankfurt. Bianca is singing the title role in 'Carmen' which she says, “funnily enough was an important part of my NZ Opera School experience many years ago when I sang the Habanera with all the other students at 'Flash Mob' performance at the Whanganui River Market one morning. I remember it like it was yesterday and I feel like I've come full circle making my debut of the complete role here in Germany.” Congratulations to Bianca, we are privileged to have witnessed your journey and celebrate your achievements with you! Toi Toi Toi! 📸 Photo credit: Barbara Aumüller

🌟 Meet the NZOS Class of 2026 🌟Introducing: Charlotte Secker — Mezzo-Soprano We’re thrilled to welcome Charlotte Secker to the NZ Opera School for the first time — a Wellington-based mezzo whose artistic journey began in modern dance, moved through choral singing, and has now found its home in opera. For Charlotte, discovering opera has been transformational — she is focused on deepening her technical palette, exploring colour through her full range, and becoming a well-rounded musician with strong aural and keyboard skills to support her performance craft. 🎶 Catch Charlotte live with the full Class of 2026 in one of Whanganui Opera Week’s most uplifting traditions: In Praise of Music – Sunday 11 January, 11:30am, Whanganui Collegiate Chapel A beautiful hour of hymns and choral writing — a yearly favourite for good reason. 🎟️ Tickets: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/154163 #NZOperaSchool #ClassOf2026 #OperaTraining #Mezzo #NZOS #Aotearoa

🌟 Meet the NZOS Class of 2026 🌟 Introducing: Caitlin Roberts — Soprano (Debut Student) We are delighted to welcome Caitlin Roberts, a young soprano with a clear artistic vision and a deep commitment to the craft. At NZOS 2026, Caitlin is eager to immerse herself fully: • refining diction, dramatic expression, and communication • exploring repertoire that best represents her artistry • absorbing guidance from international tutors • strengthening her audition package for the next steps in her career Her passion is simple and sincere: to bring characters and music off the page and into the world with authenticity, emotional depth, and respect for the composer’s intent. We can’t wait to see her take flight in Whanganui. 🎶 Catch Caitlin live during Whanganui Opera Week — at the uplifting In Praise of Music concert. 📅 Sunday 11 January 📍 Whanganui Collegiate School Chapel 🎟️ Tickets: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/154163 #NZOperaSchool #ClassOf2026 #OperaTraining #Soprano #NZOS #Aotearoa

⭐ THE MASTERCLASS EVENT OF WHANGANUI OPERA WEEK ⭐ If there is one event you circle, highlight, and put three reminders for during Whanganui Opera Week — this is it. Mary Plazas is not just a world-renowned soprano. She is a once-in-a-generation artist whose career spans Covent Garden, Bavarian State Opera, Opera North, ENO, Bregenz Festival, Royal Opera at the BBC Proms, and recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, Chandos, LSO, Opera Rara. And for one extraordinary night, she steps into the Prince Edward Auditorium to teach — live — right in front of you.This is the kind of evening that stays with you. The kind singers remember for decades. The kind audiences talk about for years. 🎟️ Tickets: $25 Book now before it sells out: 👉 www.whanganuivenues.co.nz #NZOperaSchool #WhanganuiOperaWeek #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #WOW #MAryPlazas #OperaTraining 📸©️Johan Persson

🎄✨ The Perfect Christmas Gift? Tickets to Great Opera Moments 2026. On Saturday 17 January, the Royal Whanganui Opera House will glow with the voices of the NZOS Class of 2026 — one unforgettable night that brings together everything they’ve learned during two weeks of intensive training with our international tutors. It’s the pinnacle of Whanganui Opera Week: one stage, one night, operaratic rising stars, and some of the most beloved moments in opera. A celebration of talent, craft, courage — and the joy of live performance. If you’re looking for a gift that goes beyond wrapping paper… 🎁 Give someone a night of beauty, inspiration, and goosebumps. 🎟️ Tickets make a special Christmas surprise under the tree — and they sell fast every year. Great Opera Moments 2026 📅 Saturday 17 January 📍 Royal Whanganui Opera House 🎟️ Tickets: www.whanganuivenues.co.nz Or: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/sales #WhanganuiOperaWeek #GreatOperaMoments #NZOperaSchool #ChoralMagic #LiveMusic #OperaInWhanganui

🌟 NZOS Class of 2026 — Introducing Tenor Tom Varney 🌟 We’re thrilled to welcome Tom Varney to his first New Zealand Opera School in 2026. Currently finishing his Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland, Tom joins NZOS with a clear goal: to take a focused step toward a professional operatic career—here in Aotearoa and, one day, internationally. Fresh from singing in Rigoletto and La Bohème with NZ Opera, Tom now hopes to strengthen his vocal technique, grow his stage presence, and deepen the emotional connection in his performance. Above all, he’s excited to learn from world-class tutors and work alongside peers who share his dedication. Welcome, Tom — we’re excited to see where this next chapter takes you! #NZOperaSchool #ClassOf2026 #OperaTraining #Tenor #NZTalent #OperaInAotearoa